Meshech Weare

Meshech Weare (* June 16, 1713 in Hampton Falls, Rockingham County, New Hampshire; † January 14, 1786 ) was an American politician and from 1776 to 1785 the first President of New Hampshire. He practiced so that in fact the office of governor of that was introduced in the state until some years later.

Early years and political rise

Meshech Weare grew as British citizens in the then colony of New Hampshire. He studied at Harvard University until 1735 and originally planned to become a clergyman. This plan, he gave up after his marriage. After a later law school he began to work as a lawyer.

Weares political rise began in 1739. This year he was in the city of Hampton Falls as " Town Moderator " hired. In the following years he became a member of the colonial House of Representatives. Three times he was its President ( Speaker) and eight years Secretary ( Clerk ). In 1754 he was a delegate to the Albany Congress. Weare supported American independence movement. He was instrumental in the drafting of the first, still provisional constitution of New Hampshire. This already occurred in January 1776 in force for over half a year before the Declaration of Independence of the United States. New Hampshire became the first colony, which seceded from England. This constitution was valid until 1784 and saw no explicit separation of powers. The executive branch was merged with the legislature and was a so-called Safety Committee (Committee of Safety) directed its chairman Weare was.

President of New Hampshire

Meshech Weare led as chairman of the Safety Committee, the title "President of New Hampshire ." At the same time, he was from 1776 to 1782 chief judge of the new state. These offices he held throughout the American Revolutionary War. After 1784 a new constitution came into force, he was elected for one year for the first official governor of this state, who is still the title of " President " was wearing. Only under Josiah Bartlett, who was 1790-1794 Prime Minister of New Hampshire, the title "President" was abolished and replaced by "Governor ". Taken together, headed Meshech Weare New Hampshire politics between 15 June 1776 and 1 June in 1785. Later, he was often referred to as the "father of his country ".

After the end of his term he retired to retire after Hampton Falls, where he died in January 1786. Meshech Weare was married twice.